The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night:

A Server’s Guide

Introduction:

The Easter Vigil is the most solemn event of the liturgical year. It represents, in a few short hours, the entirety of salvation history. We hear seven readings from the Old Testament; these may seem excessive, but each has been chosen to show, in a particular way, the preparation of mankind to receive the salvation offered to us in Christ. The coming of the paschal candle into a darkened church represents the light of the risen Christ coming into the world as victor over the sin and death that has gone before.

The Vigil has four parts:

The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil

This part of the Vigil involves the blessing of a fire, the procession of the faithful into church behind the paschal candle and the Easter Proclamation.

The Liturgy of the Word

This part of the Vigil allows us to hear some key parts of the history of God’s interaction with mankind before the birth of Christ, followed by the beginning of the mass proper and two New Testament readings proclaiming the risen Christ.

The Baptismal Liturgy

In this part of the vigil those who have been preparing to become Catholics do so through the reception of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Even if none are to be received into the church we are still reminded of our own baptisms through the baptismal promises and sprinkling with holy water.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

This part of the vigil is the most recognisable, as it is much the same as any mass; but this should not detract from the fact that it is the single most important prayer and sacrifice that the Church can make – truly the source and summit of our faith.

Contents:

Part One: The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil

Part Two: The Liturgy of the Word

Part Three: The Baptismal Liturgy

Part Four: The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Glossary

Notes:

This booklet has been prepared for those of all ages serving at the Easter Vigil.

It is hoped that it will be of particular use to the server acting as MC during the Vigil, but all servers will be able to find their respective roles.

The booklet assumes that those reading it have some experience serving at regular masses, but also includes a glossary of terms a server should be familiar with.

Part One: The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil

The congregation gather outside of the dark church, where a fire has been prepared. After their preparatory prayers in the sacristy, the clergy and servers join them at the fire.

There must be servers carrying the following:

Missal Paschal candle Stylus Incense Grains Thurible Boat

Once outside, the missal-bearer holds the missal for the priest whilst he blesses the fire.

The priest then takes the paschal candle and the stylus and carves into the candle with the stylus, whilst reading aloud the prescribed words from the missal.

The priest then takes the five incense grains and presses them into the candle whilst again reading aloud from the missal.

The priest then lights the paschal candle from the fire.

When the candle has been lit the thurible is lit from the fire (it is wise to have charcoal already heating in the fire before it is blessed).

The priest then puts incense from the boat into the thurible.

A deacon (or, if there is no deacon, the priest himself) then carries the lit paschal candle into the dark church, preceded by the thurifer and followed by the other servers, any other clergy and the congregation.

The thurifer and deacon stop three times, once at the entrance to the church, once halfway to the sanctuary, and once at the sanctuary.

Each time the procession stops the deacon says or sings “The Light of Christ”, to which the response is “Thanks be to God”; or, “Lumen Christi”, to which the response is “Deo Gratias”.

The deacon then places the paschal candle into its holder.

Whilst the deacon is doing this the rest of the procession has followed, with everyone receiving their own lighted candle and proceeding to their place in the church. Each parish will have its own way of doing this, but often some servers are asked to stay by the entrance to the church to pass on the light of the paschal candle (and so the blessed fire) to each person as they enter the church.

Once at the sanctuary the servers take their normal places, but the thurifer and boat-bearer go to the priest (whether he be at the Chair or placing the paschal candle in its holder) where he places incense into the thurible.

The deacon, if there is one, having placed the paschal candle in its holder asks for the priest’s blessing.

The deacon (or if there is no deacon, the priest) then incenses the paschal candle and the book.

The deacon (or if there is no deacon, the priest, or in exceptional circumstances, a cantor) then sings the Easter Proclamation, or Exsultet. During this all remain standing with their lighted candles.

At the end of the Exsultet the candles are usually extinguished and the lights of the church turned on, if they have not been already. The priest will usually direct the congregation (and the servers) in when to do this.

Part Two: The Liturgy of the Word

The priest introduces the next part of the Vigil; in which we will hear of some of God’s interactions with mankind before the birth of Christ.

Lectors read seven readings from the Old Testament, each followed by a responsorial psalm (lead by a cantor) and a prayer.

For each prayer the missal-bearer will need to take the opened missal to the priest, just as they would for the Collect of a normal mass.

After the last Old Testament reading, psalm and prayer the altar candles are lit by a server, as this is the point at which we move from prayerful vigil to the celebration of mass.

The Gloria is sung immediately. The altar bells are rung throughout the Gloria, just as they were at mass on Maundy Thursday. The priest may or may not ask for the missal-bearer to remain at the Chair during the Gloria.

After the Gloria the priest says the Collect of the mass from the missal.

There is then a single New Testament reading followed by a responsorial psalm. This psalm takes the place of the Gospel Acclamation, so the thurifer and boat-bearer need to be ready immediately at the end of the psalm.

The gospel is proclaimed by the deacon (or if there is no deacon, the priest), who incenses the book as normal. The gospel is not accompanied by acolytes with candles, as the paschal candle is usually close to the ambo.

The priest or deacon will give a homily as normal.

Part Three: The Baptismal Liturgy

This liturgy changes subtly depending on whether there are to be baptisms and the layout of individual churches. For the purpose of this booklet we will assume that there are to be baptisms and that the baptismal font is near to the sanctuary, in plain view of the congregation.

The priest begins with an introduction to the liturgy, for which he may or may not need the missal.

Everyone stands for the Litany of Saints, which will usually be led by a cantor.

The priest then proceeds to the baptismal font (if he has not already done so), with those to be baptised and their godparents.

At the font there needs to be servers with the following:

Missal Book containing the Rite of Baptism Oil of Catechumens Oil of Chrism (if any of those to be baptised are children) Jug or other implement for pouring water Towel(s)

The priest blesses the water using the prayer given in the missal. He may or may not dip the paschal candle into the water as part of the blessing.

The priest then questions those to be baptised (or their parents). Part-way through these questions he anoints each with the Oil of Catechumens.

Each person is then baptised using the newly blessed water. The priest will require something to pour the water and a towel to dry the head of each person.

Following the baptism any children are anointed with the Oil of Chrism.

Each of the newly baptised is then given a white garment and a lit candle.

Everyone returns to their places in the sanctuary except the priest, the server with the missal (or book containing the Rite of Confirmation), the server with the Oil of Chrism and any adults who are to be confirmed, with their sponsors; these people go to the front of the sanctuary, where the priest confirms each adult in turn.

Then, if it has not already taken place in the Rite of Baptism, everyone stands and renews their baptismal promises. This takes the place of the creed.

Next the priest will go around the church with an aspergillum, sprinkling the congregation with holy water. He may require a server with an aspersorium to accompany him.

Finally in this part of the mass the priest directs the Universal Prayer as during a normal mass.

Part Four: The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The altar is prepared as normal. The amount servers do in preparing the altar varies from parish to parish.

The Offertory and Preparation of the Gifts take place as normal. Servers are therefore required to receive the gifts, present them to the priest or deacon at the appropriate time, provide the thurible and boat when needed and be ready with the water and lavabo towel for the priest to wash his hands.

The Preface and Eucharistic Prayer take place as normal. This means the altar bells are rung at the Epiclesis and both Elevations and the thurible is used at both Elevations.

The Communion Rite takes place as normal. This means that the altar bells are typically rung as the priest celebrant drinks the Precious Blood.

Communion itself is generally as normal, but it is customary to allow those making their First Holy Communion to approach the sanctuary first. This may or may not be before the servers, as the situation in each church warrants.

The Prayer after Communion is as normal, with the priest reading from the missal. There is a Solemn Blessing, so the missal-bearer should know to wait, even if the priest gives out any announcements before the blessing.

The dismissal uses a normal form, but adds ‘alleluia, alleluia’; as does the response. For example:

Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.

The procession back to the sacristy is as normal, taking place without a thurifer but with a crucifer and acolytes.

Glossary:

Term Meaning

Acolyte(s)Originally one of the minor orders of the Church, and still an instituted ministry. However this booklet uses the common usage of the word to

describe a server who carries a candle.

Ambo The place(s) in the church at which readings (including the gospel) are read and homilies preached.

Altar Bell(s) The small bell(s) rung by a server at different parts of the mass.Altar Candles The candles placed onto or immediately beside the altar.Aspergillum The device used by a member of the clergy to sprinkle holy water.Aspersorium The small bucket-like object sometimes used with an aspergillum.

Baptismal Font The large container for holy water at which people are baptised.

Boat The small container for incense to be used with the thurible. It should always contain a small spoon.

Boat-bearer The server who carries the boat.

Book In this booklet this term is used to describe any book containing a text which is reverenced with incense before using.

Cantor(s) A lay person who sings or leads the singing of different parts of the mass (such as the psalms and the Litany of the Saints).

[The] Chair The seat used by the priest celebrant.Clergy Any ordained men - bishops, priests and deacons.

Collect Commonly known as the 'opening prayer'. Comes immediately after the Gloria, or the Kyrie if there is no Gloria.

CommunionIn this booklet this term is used to describe the part of mass during which the congregation come to the sanctuary to receive the Body (and Blood)

of Christ.

Congregation In this booklet this term is used to describe everyone except the clergy and servers.

Crucifer The server who carries the processional cross.Deacon Any man ordained to the diaconate.

Easter Proclamation The solemn hymn of praise recounting the mysteries of Easter.

Elevation(s)The points in the mass at which the priest celebrant raises the

consecrated Body and Blood of Christ above his head for all to see. The altar bell(s) are rung at both points.

EpiclesisThe point in the mass at which the priest invokes the holy spirit to come

upon the gifts. Notable by his outstretched hands over the gifts. The altar bell(s) are rung at this point.

Exsultet Another name for the Easter Proclamation, taken from the first word of the hymn in Latin.

Gifts The bread and wine brought to the sanctuary at the offertory.

Gospel Acclamation Comes immediately before the gospel. It is omitted at the Easter Vigil as the psalm before the gospel fulfils the same role of acclamation.

Incense GrainsThe five tiny pieces of incense, usually contained in metal pins, which are placed into the paschal candle. Not to be confused with the incense in the

boat.

Lavabo Towel The towel used by the priest to dry his hands after washing them during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Lector(s)Originally one of the minor orders of the Church, and still an instituted ministry. However this booklet uses the common usage of the word to

describe a lay reader.

Litany of the Saints A responsorial prayer which asks God and all those in heaven to intercede for us.

Missal The large book containing the prayers to be used at each mass throughout the year.

Missal-bearer The server who carries the missal.

Oil of Catechumens An oil used to anoint a person about to be baptised, to strengthen them in the struggle against sin.

Oil of ChrismAn oil used, among other things, to anoint a child who has just been

baptised or a person who is being confirmed. It is symbolic of our covenants (agreements) with God.

Paschal Candle A symbol of the eternal presence of Christ as light of the world. Prepared for the year at the Easter Vigil.

Priest Any man ordained to the presbyterate.Priest Celebrant The priest who is leading the mass.

Sacristy The rooms in which the priests and servers vest and prepare for mass.

Sanctuary The holiest part of a church. It contains the altar and usually the tabernacle.

Server(s) Any lay person who assists the clergy at mass.Solemn Blessing A specified blessing from the missal to be given at certain masses.

Stylus A sharp implement used to carve into the wax of the paschal candle.Thurible A container on a chain used to burn incense at various liturgies.Thurifer The server who carries the thurible.

Universal Prayer Commonly known as the 'bidding prayers'. Comes immediately before the offertory.